JOHANNESBURG — South Africa’s government was confronted Friday with a new and chilling allegation about the sign language interpreter at Nelson Mandela’s memorial: He was reportedly accused of murder 10 years ago.

Officials said they were investigating the revelation by the national eNCA TV news station. They were unable, or unwilling, to explain why a man who says he is schizophrenic with violent tendencies was allowed to get within arm’s length of President Barack Obama and other world leaders.

The outcome of the reported murder case that eNCA said dated from 2003 was unclear, and the television report did not disclose any details.

Investigators probing Thamsanqa Jantjie “will compile a comprehensive report,” said Phumla Williams, the top government spokeswoman. She did not say how long the investigation would take and insisted details would not be released until it was completed.

An Associated Press reporter found Jantjie at a makeshift bar on the outskirts of Soweto on Friday, not far from his concrete house. Asked about the murder allegation, Jantjie turned and walked away without saying anything.

PrAna has always had it out for plastics. The yoga brand in 2010 began shipping more of its clothes wrapped in paper and string, rather than the customary plastic sleeves. But when Boulder passed its Universal Zero Waste Ordinance, requiring businesses to recycle and compost, employees of the Pearl Street store saw opportunity to do more.